Denis Napthine happy to campaign with Tony Abbott

By Josh Gordon and Steve Lillebuen

Denis Napthine says he is happy to campaign with Tony Abbott ahead of the November 29 election, despite warnings the prime minister’s unpopularity in Victoria could be cruelling his chances.

Internal polling is believed to show voters are failing to distinguish between the state and federal governments, with damage to the Coalition brand inflicted by the Federal Government leading Victorians to believe they will be worse off as a result of the May 6 Victorian budget.

It follows an Age/Nielsen poll showing only 4 per cent voters say they are more likely to vote for the Napthine Government because of the May 6 state budget. Almost one-third declaring themselves to be less likely despite a $27 billion infrastructure program.

Almost four in 10 voters said they were less likely to vote for the Napthine government because of the May 13 federal budget.

Dr Napthine has come under pressure to distance himself from the federal government, with the backbench increasingly nervous following a series of opinion polls placing the Coalition in a losing position.

So far, Dr Napthine has been reluctant to criticise, suggesting a close relationship with the prime minister will allow him to get the best deal in Victoria's parochial interests.

Advertisement

On Thursday, Dr Napthine described Mr Abbott as a ‘‘friend’’ who could deliver great things for Victoria, including funding the multi-billion-dollar East West Link.

‘‘The prime minister is certainly somebody that I’m happy to campaign with,’’ he said after appearing with Mr Abbott to open a diary factory in Laverton.

‘‘We will work with him to make sure we get the best deal for Victoria.’’

A detailed analysis of key marginal seats by ABC election analyst Antony Green concluded the Napthine government was in a “weak position” to retain government, with sitting members in only three of its nine most marginal seats diminishing the usual advantages of incumbency.

“Labor incumbents in four of those seats are well placed to notionally win their seats back for Labor, while other marginal seats have in the past shown a tendency to follow the state swing,” Mr Green said.

Last week, Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader Peter Ryan said there was ‘‘no doubt’’ there was a voter backlash in the state linked to Mr Abbott’s tough federal budget.

State Labor has attempted to capitalise on the unpopularity of the Abbott Government by linking the two leaders at every opportunity. But Liberal strategists remain hopeful voters will distinguish as the election draws closer.

The Government is also attempting to turn the blowtorch back on Daniel Andrews by drawing attention to the Opposition Leader’s factional links to the construction division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

Dr Napthine demanded that Mr Andrews break his factional ties to CFMEU boss John Setka following more revelations in The Age suggesting union malfeasance.